Morocco is investing $2.1 billion to double green energy production in its southern provinces by 2027, focusing on wind and solar power. The Sahara region is set to play a key role in this expansion, aiming to become a major hub for renewable energy.
​Sahara as a Green Energy Hub
Morocco is ramping up its green energy efforts, with plans to double electricity production in its southern provinces by 2027. This push is driven by growing demand and the country’s preparations to co-host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
Led by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, the Moroccan government has committed 21 billion dirhams ($2.1 billion) to boost its wind and solar capacity. According to Bloomberg, this investment aims to add 1.4 gigawatts of new green energy to the country’s infrastructure.
The country’s southern provinces, particularly the Sahara region, hold great potential for this expansion. The Sahara’s current green energy capacity is 1.3 gigawatts—nearly a quarter of Morocco’s total renewable output—with further development planned to solidify the region as a major green energy hub.
International recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the southern provinces by countries like the United States, France, and Spain has spurred investment in the region, especially in the energy and agriculture sectors. To accelerate this development, Morocco is actively seeking more foreign capital for its green energy projects.
​New Infrastructure to Support Green Energy
To support this expansion, Morocco plans to build a 3-gigawatt cable connecting renewable energy plants in the southern provinces with the country’s central regions. This crucial infrastructure will enable better integration of green energy into the national grid.
France has already expressed interest in helping finance the energy cable, which would link Casablanca with the city of Dakhla in Western Sahara. The project is part of Morocco’s broader vision for a reliable green energy network that can support both domestic use and potential exports to Europe.
Foreign investment interest is growing, particularly from China. Several Chinese companies, including leading electric battery component manufacturer HUAYOU, are exploring major green energy projects in Western Sahara.
HUAYOU is considering a project worth 200 billion dirhams ($20 billion) over the next seven years—an investment that would significantly advance Morocco’s green energy infrastructure.
​Morocco’s Long-Term Green Energy Vision
This push for green energy is part of a broader national strategy to increase reliance on renewables to meet both domestic and international demand. Expanding wind and solar capacity is central to this plan, with the government positioning its southern provinces, especially the Sahara, as a key renewable energy hub.
With these investments in generation and infrastructure, Morocco is on track to become a significant player in the global shift toward sustainability. The government’s investment in green energy, combined with growing international interest, positions Morocco to continue playing a crucial role in the renewable energy market.
The country’s plan to double green energy production in the Sahara by 2027 is a strategic initiative that places the region at the center of this effort. By investing in wind, solar, and enhanced infrastructure, the country aims to significantly increase its renewable energy capacity.